THE M5BS may be some of fi’zi:k’s more affordable shoes but at just under 225$ they still aren’t exactly cheap. Still, they’re handmade in Italy and designed to handle everything from trail riding to cyclo-cross racing or your daily commute.
The soft Microtex and anti-scratch leather upper helps make the M5B really comfortable. Things feel relatively roomy width wise but the Velcro strap and Boa closure do a grand job of clamping the shoe up securely without creating any pinch points or hot spots. On the trail, the carbon reinforced nylon sole is plenty stiff enough to transfer power efficiently when you’re really cranking, with very little flex. They aren’t too bad to walk in and the blocky tread isn’t too slippery on damp rock either.
The sticking point for us is the limited cleat adjustment. For super-efficient, less technical mile munching, the forward cleat position is no bad thing, but the inability to move the cleat further towards the middle of the foot meant more aggressive riders just couldn’t find a sweet spot, ultimately limiting the M5Bs’ appeal.
Really comfortable, but limited cleat adjustment will put many less XC focused riders off
Price 225$
